Preliminary study on the efficacy of the B.A.I. Reovirus antigen for Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) on suspected viral arthritis infection in chicken

• Main Authors: Lola, M.S.G, Morales, C.M, Antegro, R.N
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: College, Laguna (Philippines) PSAS 1999
• Subjects: ANTIGENE; ANTIGENOS; ANTIGENS; CHICKENS; ELISA; FILIPINAS; IMMUNOLOGIE; IMMUNOLOGY; INFECCION; INFECTION; INMUNOLOGIA; PHILIPPINES; POLLO; POULET; REOVIRUS; TEST ELISA

One of the important disease problems encountered in poultry production causing lameness and tenosynovitis in chicken is viral arthritis. A Reovirus strain (WVU-2937) has been found responsible for such condition. The Bureau of Animal Industry (B.A.I.) has developed an antigen for the serological diagnosis of Reovirus infection in chicken. Hence, this study aims to determine the efficacy of this antigen in detecting suspected field cases of Viral Anthritis associated to Reovirus by using the Agar Gel Precipitation Test [AGPT]. A total of 24 broiler chickens, randomly selected from different farms in Bulacan [Philippines] were used in this study. Serum samples were collected in quadruplicates and stored in the freezer. The AGPT was carried out in triplicates. A positive serum was used as reference/control to establish a true positive/negative result. To verify the results of AGPT, serum samples of each test bird were also tested using the ELISA Test. The results obtained a 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity to the AGPT. The positive results were further graded as positive and weak positive. There seems to have a direct correlation between the strength of the positivity of AGPT to the level of ELISA Test. However, the exact cut-off point between weak positive and positive AGPT to the level of ELISA titer remains to be determined. The use of the B.A.I. produced Reovirus antigen proves to be an effective screening diagnostic tool for Viral Arthritis cases particularly those caused by Avian Reovirus